By Steve A. Hamilton

2 Corinthians 12:1-4

Introduction: Not everything is told concerning life after death. At least, not everything we want to know.  When Lazarus was raised from the dead after four days in the grave (John 11:1-46), nothing was revealed of his experiences after death. There is a reason for this (2 Cor. 12:2-4).  Man is not permitted to relate their experiences in the after life!

The only way we can learn of the after life is through the things Christ has revealed for us in scripture.

I. After death, what then?

A. Upon death, a separation occurs (Eccl. 12:7; Gen 35:18; Jas. 2:26). Our physical bodies return to dust (Gen. 2:7), and our soul lives on (Heb. 12:9).

B. Upon death, our souls go somewhere.

1. We are not dead all over like Rover.

2. We are not reincarnated (Heb. 9:27).  Lazarus wasn’t reincarnated.

3. We don’t go to purgatory (invented by the Council of Florence in 1439).

                   a. Each person must account for their deeds (2 Cor. 5:10).

                   b. Heaven can’t be earned by our works (Eph. 2:8-9).

4. We do not proceed straight to heaven. The Lord tells us there will be a judgment day before our fate is determined (Acts 17:31).

a. It is quite offensive to hear at a funeral how the deceased are in heaven.  Not only has the judgment day not yet come, put to make that assertion is to take Christ’s place as judge.

b. There is one possible exception (Matt. 10:22; Mark 8:35; 13:13).  In the book of Revelation, the martyred in Christ appear in heaven before the judgment day (Rev. 7:9, 13-14ff).

II. Hades.

A. The story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31).

1. Though man is not allowed to explain the after life Christ has revealed this much to us.

2. This is not a parable because Christ identifies actual people (Lazarus and Abraham) in the story.

B. Hades in verse 23 means the “all-receiving” place.  We might call it the realm of the dead.  It is distinct from Gehenna which is translated hell.

C. Notice in verse 22 that the soul of Lazarus was delivered to Hades by angels.  This should give us comfort to know when we die; we will not be left alone.

D. There are two sides to this realm separated by a great gulf or chasm.

1. On one side we find comfort which is called Paradise. 

a. Jesus went to Paradise upon his death (Luke 23:43; Acts 2:27, 31). 

b. Paul knew a man who was caught up into Paradise (2 Cor. 12:1-4).

2. The other side is called torment (vs. 23) and is described as a place with pain in a flame (vs. 24). This is the same place (from the same Greek word for torment) that fallen angels and all the unjust are being reserved for judgment (2 Pet. 2:4, 9).

E. Notice the deceased can talk across the chasm (vs. 24-31), they can see across the chasm (vs. 23), but they can not go across the chasm (vs. 26).  

*Will we see our departed loved ones when we die?  It is very possible, with these restrictions; we will see them even if they are not on the same side.

F. Further notice the conversation between the Rich Man and Abraham.

1. Abraham tells the Rich Man in essence, he is getting what he deserved (vs. 25).

2. The Rich Man knowing this to be true turns his attention to those in his family who yet live (vs. 27-28).  He does not want them to make the same mistake by neglecting their own salvation.

a. We should never feel like our departed loved ones would want us to live life like they did if they weren’t obedient to Christ.

b. The departed know the truth and they long for us to know the truth about the after life before we die.

   3. The reality of the situation in which we live prevents the dead from coming to us to tell us how to straighten out our lives. Abraham says we have that knowledge and those among us who know the truth. We don’t have to make the same mistakes as our departed loved ones nor do they want us to make the same mistake.

III. On the Judgment day…

A. Those in Hades will be delivered to the judgment to learn of their fate (Rev. 20:11-15).

          1. Just because we may find ourselves in Paradise is not a guarantee we will go to heaven.

          2. Jesus will separate the sinners from his kingdom (Matt. 13:41; 1 Pet. 4:17).

B. Those still on earth will be delivered to the judgment (1 Thes. 4:13-18; Matt. 24:36-44).

IV. The heavens and the earth will be destroyed on that final day (2 Pet. 3:10-12).

Conclusion: While we live we have a choice in life.  Do we want to live in sin or do we want to live in Christ?  We have all been fairly warned about life after death.  Don’t be like the rich man who woke up too late.  The Lord wants to admit you into heaven.  Your departed loved ones want you to obey the Lord.  We here want you to be added to the Lord’s church.  Please come…

Last modified: 05/02/08